Adidas announced Monday "a long-term partnership extension" with Trail
Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, a re-signing that had been anticipated
after the footwear and apparel company was forced to act earlier than it may
have planned.

"Adidas has been great to me over my first two seasons," Lillard says in an Adidas news release. "I've had the opportunity to wear a lot of great product, help
design special versions of shoes, be a part of TV commercials and travel the
world with the brand. I'm excited for what the future holds for me and Adidas."

Terms of the deal were not announced. USA Today reported the deal was for eight years with incentives to extend it to 10 and that the deal was third largest in basketball to those of LeBron James (Nike) and Derrick Rose (Adidas).

The news release mentioned the events that prompted the
re-signing in the first place – but stopped short of directly making the
connection. The Germany-based company was reportedly forced to act now because
incentives in Lillard's previous contract had given him the flexibility to
negotiate a new deal.

Lillard was named the unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year and this
season he earned a spot on the Western
Conference NBA All-Star team. During All-Star weekend, he also became the first
player to complete in all five All-Star events.

After playing high school ball in Oakland, Calif., Lillard
attended mid-major Weber State University, where he excelled for three seasons. The Trail
Blazers selected Lillard with the sixth overall pick in 2012. He is currently
averaging 21 points, six assists and four rebounds per game for the Trail
Blazers.

"Damian has proven to be not only an amazing basketball
player, but a great partner, member of the community and someone who creates
excitement for our products," Chris Grancio, Adidas head of global
basketball sports marketing, says in the news release. "His leadership and commitment to success on the
court and his ability to interact and relate to fans through social media and
the community make him the perfect fit to be one of the cornerstones of the Adidas
brand."